Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$212,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$232,967 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$206,673 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $225,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $168,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $295,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $368,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $232,967▲ | $181,452 | +$51,515 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $188,072 | $207,900▲ | -$19,828 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $206,673▲ | $167,661 | +$39,012 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 6,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($232,967 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.